With linebacker Jon Bostic becoming the latest addition to the Steelers' defense, here's a look at how things are shaping up on that side of the ball.

Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

The Steelers are becoming a landing strip for former Florida Gators. Four former UF players are on the current roster with the addition of linebacker Jon Bostic, who joins cornerback Joe Haden, right tackle Marcus Gilbert and center Maurkice Pouncey.

Jon Bostic, who agreed to a two-year contract, will be viewed as a good stopgap to replace Ryan Shazier until a draft pick develops.

Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

The signing of inside linebacker Jon Bostic to a two-year contract, which the Steelers announced and ESPN's Adam Schefter earlier reported, gives the Steelers a starting option at a position of need. Bostic is on his fourth team since 2015, so this might be a stopgap situation. But the team couldn't sit idle after the loss of Ryan Shazier to a spinal injury.

News that Cincinnati's oft-disciplined LB would cite meds he took in the wake of JuJu Smith-Schuster's hit had the Steelers WR chirping on Twitter.

Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

Steelers hosting Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater for a visit, per ESPN Insider Field Yates. Seven-time Pro Bowler would upgrade a Pittsburgh special teams unit that released former captain Robert Golden last week.

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Malinda Adams ESPN Producer

Mike Reiss ESPN Staff Writer

Patriots longtime special teams captain Matthew Slater is visiting the Steelers today, according to ESPN's Field Yates. The thought of Slater in a different uniform didn't seem likely entering free agency. Perhaps it is now. Slater initially joined the Patriots as a fifth-round draft choice out of UCLA in 2008, and has been with the team since.

Jordan Berry was technically unemployed and facing a trip home before the Steelers helped the restricted free agent out with an early new contract.

Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

Former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Sammie Coates has found a new home -- the Houston Texans, who claimed him off waivers Friday. Last year, the Steelers traded Coates to the Browns, who released him Thursday. Coates joins Cobi Hamilton as former Steelers wideouts in Houston.

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Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

The Steelers set to pay big roster bonuses today. Among earners with payments on the third day of the new league year: Antonio Brown ($6 M, restructured), Ben Roethlisberger ($5 M), Al Villanueva ($3 M, restructured), Joe Haden ($1 M).

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Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier showed another step in his recovery from spinal stabilization surgery, posting a social media video of himself doing pull-ups with ease. "Upper body is getting that work!!" wrote Shazier on Friday. Shazier won't play football in 2018.

Tyrann Mathieu comes with injury concerns and at a price. But signing a former Pro Bowl DB fresh off a release worked out well with Joe Haden.

Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

The Steelers made a free agent signing -- not a splashy one, but they are bringing back running back Fitz Toussaint on a one-year deal. The team did not tender Toussaint during restricted free agent but brought him back on a veteran minimum for tailback depth.

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Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

Steelers sit at $6.512 million in cap space as of today, per NFLPA records, the third-lowest total in the league behind the Cowboys and Chiefs. That number likely accounts for Alejandro Villanueva's contract restructure and Martavis Bryant's salary increase from $705,000 to $1.9 million, a proven performance escalator.

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Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

The Steelers announced the release of three veteran defensive backs -- Mike Mitchell, William Gay and Robert Golden. The first two were known. Golden is a bit of a surprise because of his special teams value. New era in Pittsburgh's secondary.

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Michael Collins ESPN Senior Writer

Sam Saunders (Grandson of Arnold Palmer) describes Ben Roethlisberger's drive on his first hole playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am.

Ben Roethlisberger's not thinking about a new deal, but when it's time, he'll have seen the price go up with each signing of a starting quarterback.

Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

Two Steelers appeared on the NFL's top 25 list of highest performance-based pay: CB Mike Hilton ($327,377.67) and TE Jesse James ($293,971.07). The pay system rewards players at low salaries and high snap counts. Doesn't count against the cap.

The Steelers will convert most of the left tackle's 2018 earnings into signing bonuses. Now, what does it mean for their free-agency plans?

Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

The Steelers knew they couldn't keep RT Chris Hubbard, who is headed to Cleveland on a five-year deal. They couldn't afford him. Hubbard acquitted himself well in 10 starts last season and can play every spot on the offensive line.

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Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

Steelers restructuring LT Alejandro Villanueva's contract. Expected to save close to $4 million in cap space by converting 2018 money to signing bonus. That's fourth contract restructure for the team in last six weeks.

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Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

Steelers slot receiver Eli Rogers is now an unrestricted free agent after the team did not place a restricted tender on him, per source. Rogers has 66 catches and four touchdowns over the last two years but tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the playoffs.

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Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer

The Steelers figure to have around $3.5-3.9 million in cap space after the imminent releases of CB William Gay and S Mike Mitchell and the application of restricted tenders for K Chris Boswell ($2.9 million) and OLB Anthony Chickillo ($1.9 million). That doesn't leave Pittsburgh much room to operate in free agency, but they can always create more space through restructuring contracts or more cuts.